Sunday, October 21, 2012

Authors Are My Rockstars: Fierce Reads Tour





I went to the Fierce Reads tour at the Bethesda Library in Maryland on Wednesday and got to meet some awesome and inspiring authors.

Caragh O'Brien, author of “Promised,” book No. 3 in the Bookmarked trilogy, Gennifer Albin, author of “Crewel,” Leigh Bardugo, author of “Shadow and Bone,” and Marie Rutkoski, author of “The Shadow Society.”

I've never read the "Promised" Series so unfortunately I didn't get any of Caragh's books.

 

However, I just finished "Crewel". I have been wanting to read "Shadow and Bone" for forever. "The Shadow Society" has been on my to-read list too so I did buy some books there.


It was great meeting such a range of authors with such completely different styles and books. Also it was a small crowd. Maybe twenty or so people so there was plenty of face time with the authors.

 

Basically each author talked a little about her book. I've never been to a signing where the authors were asked questions and had to give their own rundown of their work.



Truthfully, it was really awkward. The room was so small and quiet that it made for a lot of uncomfortable pauses. Maybe authors are just awkward anyway (could be why they spend a lot of time alone writing). Either way it was really fun.



This is a funny face Leigh made








There was a Q and A with the audience.  The dreaded question about where they get their ideas came up. Gennifer actually had a cool answer about a painting where people are sewing a tapestry that is flowing out of the window and creating the world. In the corner is a girl sewing herself into the tapestry. It stuck with her for about nine years until she wrote Crewel.











I asked the last question about how long it took them all to get agents and for their book to sell. Each one said that it went really quick for them but that's not the norm. At the end, I got my books signed. I really felt a strong connection to Leigh, who was funny and sarcastic, and got to talk to her about the book I'm writing. I've been having the problem of getting down on my writing ability because I read so many great authors. She told me to take a break from reading and just start writing. We both expressed our general dislike of blogging. It's ironic I'm blogging about not liking to blog....Anyway....









She wrote something really cool in my book.

It says:

Don't be afraid to free the page. Looking forward to seeing your work on the shelves one day!


I've actually gone back to my WIP because of this meeting. So thanks Leigh!!



Next month Ally Condie will be at the library for when "Reached" comes out and I'm planning to go to that. If you live around the area you should come too!


Remember I have a Giveaway going on that ends Saturday at midnight for one Signed Obsidian and two unsigned Onyx to 3 winners.

Monday, October 15, 2012

New Adult Cover Reveal: The Crimson Hunt by Victoria Smith

Author: Victoria H. Smith
Series or Stand-alone:
            Book 1 in the Eldaen Light Chronicles
Genre: New Adult/ Science Fiction Romance
First Published: November 12, 2012
Add to Goodreads

The GIST:

College junior Ariel Richmond is working on year three of Project Normalcy.

Her house reeks of keggers past and her bestie is just a slight bit vulgar. But the thing is—they both aid in making life refreshingly uneventful.


So much for hard-earned mediocrity when Luca Grinaldi appears on the scene.

Luca’s sudden presence on campus is hard to ignore. Those bright eyes act like a beacon to unsuspecting females, and with features like his, he’s got to be moonlighting for GQ. Luca hopelessly captivates Ariel with his confidence and charisma, but the mysteries surrounding him make him nearly untouchable. And just when Ariel grows close enough to unlock his secrets, a tragic event sends her life in a downward spiral.


That steady life is no longer an option and allies quickly become scarce. The mysterious Luca seems to be the only one willing to help her—but with that trust comes the burden of his secrets. He has a dark mission of otherworldly proportions, and is willing to sacrifice as many lives as it takes to see it completed.


Gone are the days of simply maintaining normalcy, and if Ariel isn’t cautious with her trust, so soon may be her future.


 





Victoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the twenty-something characters she writes give her an earful about it.

In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, blogging, reading, and sending off a few tweets on Twitter when she can. She writes new adult fiction romance in the sub-genres of science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary, but really, anywhere her pen takes her she goes.

Victoria H. Smith Links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads






Playlist created by the the author for the book:
 
 


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Why Rebel Heart by Moira Young (Blood Red Road Sequel) might be a DNF for me

WARNING: Spoilers from Blood Red Road and a tiny bit from Rebel Heart


Guys. GUYS. I am so sad. SO SAD about Rebel Heart. SADDDDD.

Backstory:

I'll admit I was a little slow getting on the Blood Red Road bandwagon. I started blogging in January 2012 and hadn't heard of the book before then. Since then, I'd seen it on countless blogs but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I actually read it. 



Kickass Saba plus cool Jack. What wasn't to love? 


But when Jack leaves at the end of the BRR, I worried that Rebel Heart was gonna suffer what I call Sequel Syndrome: The second book in a three part series that has a brain numbingly boring plot that only escalates at end of novel with the romance reigniting.

It must seem necessary to authors, I guess. I can see why. It makes the love between the characters that much more special after they are separated for a period of time and it really tests the bond between them. Add a love triangle and its the Sequel Syndrome: prognosis DEATH by CLICHE.

BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT!

HATE IT! I kick and scream and cry and throw the book against the wall. (Then kiss it and tell it I'm sorry because it's not its fault its so crappy.)

For visual purposes think New Moon if you were Team Edward. Think Pandemonium if you were Team Alex. I'm sure there are so many more but I'm too lazy to go looking through my brain for them.

  But you see what I mean, right? 

It's an epidemic in Young Adult! On a flip side: I loved Insurgent (Divergent Sequel) for not doing it and God bless Veronica Roth for not resorting to a love triangle either. 

Back to Rebel Heart. When I won an ARC on Goodreads, I was so freakin' estastic I almost cried. I just couldn't wait to read it.


However...

I can't get through it. I've tried. I really have. I work at a place where I run a group called Book Club where all my clients just read a book and so do I. I run a group called Typing Skills were I can just sit and read. I bring it home. I try in the car. I even try to read it back to front. This is starting to sound like Green Eggs and Ham. I will not read it Sam I Am!

The beginning starts in third person point of view through Jack's experience. It gives away his whole motivation! What the hell! Through what I've read, which is a little less than half the book and then I skimmed the rest, Saba thinks Jack betrays her. But by having his POV as the first chapter, Young pretty much gives all the suspense away before you even get to that point! 

And it's just so boring. Saba is going crazy, like delusional crazy. She lost all of her mojo. It's sad really.

If Sequel Syndrome was a real disease, Rebel Heart would be DOA.

 I can't. I just can't. 

This is going to be a Did Not Finish for me right now until I forget about my disappointment and anger and can try to pick it up again. Maybe I will by the third book.

Le Sigh.

Sorry to disappoint those who are excited to read it. Maybe you'll like it better than me.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

DIY Halloween Costume How To: Katniss Hunting and Arena (Part 2)



In Part 1, I went over possibly the most important part of the costume. 


 In Part 2, I'm going to go over how to put together the clothing aspect that will make your Katniss costume awesome. There are two routes you can go though: really authentic or recognizable but cheap. It's your choice.


Again...


There are three great things about this costume:

1.Most of the stuff you can re-wear.
2.You probably have some of these things in your closet.
3. If you don't, they are mostly cheap. The distressed look is a big part of the costume so go down to your local thrift store and buy those crappy cargos. They're perfect! 

So after reading that list and realizing this is the costume for you, you are set on being Miss Everdeen. Congrats! Continuing on reading my tips for the perfect Katniss costume.


The List:

Main elements to Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games):

 

1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.
2. Distressed brown leather jacket.
3. Brown striped trousers.
4. Lace up knee high brown leather boots.
5. Wooden Flat Bow, Quiver, and Arrows.
6. Long sleeved button Y t-shirt 
7. Brown leather belt with gold buckle.
8. Mockingjay pin (not worn in this scene but helps for people to identify who you are)
9. Forage Bag (Not in movie)

 

Main elements to the Hunger Games Arena Katniss:

 

1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.
2. Hooded long black rain resistant jacket.
3. Olive green or brown cargo pants.
4. Brown leather ankle boots.
5. Dark brown Recurve Bow, Quiver, and Arrows. 
6. Dark brown belt with gold circle cutouts doubled around the waist.
6. Black V-neck short sleeve t-shirt.
7. Bright orange backpack.
8. Mockingjay Pin.



Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games)

Descriptions of her outfit from the book: 

Chapter 1:

"I swing my legs off the bed and slide into my hunting boots. Supple leather that has molded to my feet. I pull on trousers, a shirt, tuck my long dark braid into a cap, and grab my forage bag."
  
"As soon as I'm in the trees, I retrieve a bow and sheath of arrows from a hollow log."


VS.



How she looked in the movie:







                 Differences between the Movie and Book:


                    Book                                                                           Movie

 

                      No jacket                                                               Leather Jacket

 

                          Regular Braid                                                      Around the Head Braid 

 

                   Carries a Bag                                              No Ba      g   No Bag      

   

                Wears Hat Bag                                                               No Hat 

 


The List:

Main elements to Hunting Katniss (before the Hunger Games):

 

1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.
2. Distressed brown leather jacket.
3. Brown striped trousers.
4. Lace up knee high brown leather boots.
5. Wooden Flat Bow, Quiver, and Arrows.
6. Long sleeved button Y t-shirt 
7. Brown leather belt with gold buckle.
8. Mockingjay pin (not worn in this scene but helps for people to identify who you are)
9. Forage Bag (Not in movie) 

Keep a look out for Cheap Tricks noted in Blue





The book gives a lot of leniency about how Katniss is dressed. It describes trousers, a braid, leather boots, a shirt and a forage bag.

Therefore, I'm going to describe more of the movie's look of Hunting Katniss:

1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder. Although the book describes a regular braid, the movie version will definitely seal your costume as Katniss.
        

             ---See Part One for the How To



2. A brown leather jacket is an important part of this outfit so try your best to find one. She's not wearing one in the book but, again, the movie is the visual that people have of what Katniss looks like.
          


                         ---Cheap trick: It doesn't have to be a great looking jacket. Actually the more distressed, the better! So borrow your Dad's or brother's, go to the Thrift store, etc. Plus, a distressed leather jacket can be used in your everyday life too if you need to get one for the outfit.



3. You can do trousers. In the movie, hers are a medium brown with a subtle vertical light colored line running throughout which you can see in the picture on the right.
         


                        ---Cheap trick: Wear a pair of brown or gray trousers, skinny pants or cargos which are able to be tucked into boots and aren't too baggy or too fitted. Lots of options.

4. She wears leather boots in the movie and book. In the movie they are brown and laced. I recommend wearing brown because it's supposed to be the more earthy looking costume vs. the more bad ass Katniss in the Arena.



                     ---Cheap trick: Knee high brown leather is the best but they aren't a focal point of the costume so if you want to wear any brown leather boots or ones that sort of look like brown knee leather boots, go for it! (Uggs not recommended).


 5. Katniss carries a wooden flat bow her Dad made her, homemade arrows and quiver.
              


                    ---Cheap Trick: Let's get real here. What kind of Bow and Arrows can you get? GOOD ENOUGH! You can even make the quiver and arrows. You'll need something to keep them in if you want to carry bows. Get creative! Use a towel roll and cover it with black/ brown paper, covering the bottom completely. Use black/ brown string or belt. Glue/ tie to towel roll so it's long enough to cross your chest. Arrows can jut be long sticks with red paper glued to the tips.



Cute Boy Optional




6. In the movie she wears a long sleeve black button Y t-shirt but I think the most important part is that it's black.

    
                   ---Cheap Trick: Any plain black shirt would work. Avoid anything frilly. Katniss IS NOT FRILLY!



 




7. She wears a brown leather belt with a gold buckle in the movie that isn't holding up her pants...just around the waist. What's the point?



          ---Cheap Trick: This is completely optional.




8. No Mockingjay Pin, not yet. (Evidence on Left) but if you want to wear one, it's no big deal. It will make the costume more identifiable. 
             


 ---Cheap Trick: These are everywhere right now. Look at Amazon or Ebay to find one for cheap.


 

9. No idea what a forage bag is but I picture a burlap sack. Anyway, this is not in the movie and it is just more to lug around.



                             ---Cheap Trick: Skip it.

__________________________________________________





Hunger Games Arena Katniss

Descriptions of her outfit from the book: 

Chapter 10:

"Cinna does my hair in my simple trademark braid down my back. Then the clothes arrive, the same for every tribute. Cinna ... helps me dress in the undergarments, simple tawny pants, light green blouse, sturdy brown belt, and thin, hooded black jacket that falls to my thighs."  

"The boots, worn over skintight socks ... have a narrow flexible rubber sole with treads."


"I feel it's sturdily made although a rather unfortunate color. This orange will practically glow in the dark."



VS.



How she looked in the movie:







                 Differences between the Movie and Book:


                        Book                                                                         Movie

 

                      Light Green Blouse                                                     Black V-Neck T-shirt

 

                         Regular Braid                                                      Around the Head Braid 

 

                      Bright Orange Backpack                                    Black and Orange Backpack 

 



The List:

Main elements to the Hunger Games Arena Katniss:

 

1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder.
2. Hooded long black rain resistant jacket.
3. Olive green or brown cargo pants.
4. Brown leather ankle boots.
5. Dark brown Recurve Bow, Quiver, and Arrows. 
6. Dark brown belt with gold circle cutouts doubled around the waist.
6. Black V-neck short sleeve t-shirt.
7. Bright orange backpack.
8. Mockingjay Pin.

Keep a look out for Cheap Tricks noted in Blue
.

Best picture I can find of her total outfit lol
1. Reverse french braid or dutch braid (same thing) over shoulder. Although the book describes a regular braid, the movie version will definitely seal your costume as Katniss.
        

             ---See Part One for the How To


2. Katniss wears a black jacket that hits her thighs in the book. It keeps her body temperature regulated and keeps out wind and rain. The movie makes it look like a thin black leather jacket but any shiny, black hooded jacket will do.


                  ---Cheap Trick: Add silver duck tape to the sleeves and red tape around the zipper line to give the jacket a more authentic look.



3. The pants in the movie look olive green or light brown in some lights. The book describes her pants as tawny so you have a lot of freedom with the kind of pants you want to wear as long as they aren't so baggy that they look weird in boots. I prefer cargos.


                  ---Cheap Trick: Brown, gray, green....cargos, skinny....you have a lot of options here. Look in your closet for something first. No jeans though.




4. Katniss definitely wears boots in the book. They're brown ankle leather boots in the movie.



          ---Cheap trick: You can really wear brown or black boots with this outfit. Knee length to mid-calf to ankle, it's up to you. They aren't really important to the outfit but keep them boots.




5. Katniss uses a more quality, sleek Recurve bow in the Hunger Games vs. hunting at home.



                   ---Cheap Trick: Like I said for the last outfit, let's get real here. What kind of Bow and Arrows can you get? GOOD ENOUGH!  And lucky you, you can put the arrows in your backpack.



8. She wears a dark brown belt with a lot of gold holes that goes twice around in the movie.



                   ----Cheap Trick: The belt isn't essential at all. Don't buy it if you don't have it.




 
7. Black simple short sleeve shirt.




8. In the book she grabs a bright orange backpack and covers it with mud. In the movie, they tone down the backpack and make it a combo of black and orange.




          ---Cheap Trick: Using the backpack to hold arrows is okay with me! I think you should have an orange one but whatever you can get is better than nothing. Add orange using colored tape or paper. Paint it if you want to.








9. Mockingjay pin. Small but important.



          ---Cheap Trick: These are everywhere right now. Look at Amazon or Ebay to find one for cheap.











Miscellaneous:

1. Scars, blood, rips, dirt etc. are all up to you. Depends on how far into the Hunger Games your Katniss version is.

2. She doesn't wear makeup in either part so keep it simple and clean if you do!



MOST IMPORTANT! HAVE FUN! 
Oh and tell me if you use my tips.